In Isaiah 58:1, the Lord instructs the prophet to deliver a forceful address of His people’s continued rebellion:

 “Cry aloud, spare not;

Lift up your voice like a trumpet;

Tell My people their transgression,

And the house of Jacob their sins.”

Such a bold condemnation of this people is somewhat surprising since verse 2 gives this description of them:

 “Yet they seek Me daily,

And delight to know My ways,

As a nation that did righteousness,

And did not forsake the ordinance of their God.

They ask of Me the ordinances of justice;

They take delight in approaching God.”

These were religious people; they delighted in approaching God in religious observances, hearing His ordinances read and praying to Him. Verse 3 even indicates they fasted and afflicted their souls. So where is the transgression God is powerfully condemning?  Verses 6 and 7 provide the answer; God asks:

“Is this not the fast that I have chosen:

To loose the bonds of wickedness,

To undo the heavy burdens,

To let the oppressed go free,

And that you break every yoke?

Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,

And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out;

When you see the naked, that you cover him,

And not hide yourself from your own flesh?”

Religious observances are of no value if a man will not love his neighbor and help the needy (Lk. 10:27-37). Jesus warned of the condemnation coming on the scribes and Pharisees who outwardly appeared so religious but devoured the poor and needy (Mt. 23:1-33; Mk. 12:38-40; Lk. 20:45-47). Indeed, Jesus will judge us regarding our treatment of those in need (Mt. 25:31-46) God identifies with the vulnerable in society. He describes Himself as a helper of the helpless and fatherless (Psa. 10:14; 68:5).  Thus, if we give to the poor, we give to our Maker and please Him (Prov. 14:31; 19:17). Isaiah was crying out against individuals who observed special days of fasting and religious activities, but were exploiting their workers (Isa. 58:3). Later, to the same stripe of people, God asked through Zechariah if their fasting was really for Him, for if their religion was really for pleasing the Lord then it would include showing kindness to the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, and the poor (Zech. 7:4-10). Phony religion is easy to practice and easy to find all around us, but, “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world” (Jas. 1:27).

–Mark Day

Abraham’s herdsmen and Lot’s herdsmen had a conflict over grassland available for the livestock. Abraham said to Lot, “Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren” (Gen. 13:8). Even though Abraham, through his seniority, could have claimed his rights to choose the land he thought best for his flocks, he chose rather to give Lot first choice of where he would go. If Lot went left, he would go right and vice-versa (Gen. 13:9). There are situations in life that call for me to be the bigger person and accommodate my brethren for the sake of peace. While sin and false teaching can never be tolerated (Gal. 2:4-5; 1 Tim. 5:20), there are areas in life where the Lord has given us liberty to differ. This liberty (freedom of choice) must not be asserted in such a way that it becomes a stumbling block to others (1 Cor. 8:9) Rather, liberty gives us the freedom to serve through love (1 Cor. 9:19; Gal. 5:13; 1 Pet. 2:16).

In Romans 14:1-15:7, Paul addressed matters of judgment such as eating of meats and keeping certain days. These were not to be bound on others as requirements of salvation. If a brother in Christ had scruples regarding eating meats, then brethren who recognized there was nothing unclean in eating meats should not despise the brother that had such scruples and insist on eating meat (Rom. 14:10-15). Instead of doubtful disputations over meat (Rom. 14:1), when the kingdom of God is not meat and drink (v. 17), the inspired apostle redirects the brethren by writing, “Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another” (v.19).

The past few months have introduced changes to our usual worship routines. While we follow the New Testament’s instructions to come together to worship in the Lord’s supper (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:17-26), singing (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16), praying (1 Cor. 14:15-17), preaching (Acts 20:7), and giving (1 Cor. 16:1-2), there is a tendency for brethren to have strife over where they are sitting in the auditorium, how the elements of the Lord’s supper are packaged and distributed, and whether or not a mask is worn. Sometimes there is strife between congregations on the different procedures each congregation has chosen to implement as the church assembles to worship. Let us remember to pursue peace with our brethren. The kingdom of God is not in these incidental details. Each congregation of the Lord’s church is autonomous. A plurality of elders (also referred to as overseers and shepherds in the NT) serve among each local congregation to look after the members (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5-7; Philippians 1:1; 1 Peter 5:1-4). An elder of one congregation should not tell another congregation how to conduct their affairs in the realm of judgment. There is no Scriptural precedent for such.

Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God” (Matt. 5:9). The Lord’s people are to pursue peace with one another; this includes allowing differences in the realm of judgment. In this way energy may be focused on growing closer to God and bringing the Gospel to the lost so they can obey it and have peace with God. Let us all be peacemakers.

-Mark Day